The minor court of the Nor-Nork and Avan communities returned a verdict Oct. 25 sentencing Gevorg Hayrapetyan to 12 years’ imprisonment for high treason. A certain Bagheri, a citizen of Iran, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for espionage.

Gevorg Hayrapetyan was charged with providing Azerbaijani special services with information tarnishing Armenia’s international reputation. The Defense states the charge was trumped up. Interestingly, RA Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan was mentioned in the case.

Lieutenant-Colonel Gevorg Hayrapetyan is a member of the Yerkparah Union of Volunteers.

After the verdict was announced, his relatives, friends and companions-in-arms gathered in front of court, protesting against the verdict. More policemen arrived to control the situation.